@ Haoie,

Yes, it doesn't make sense in this particular version of TCOD. However, if you visit the Word version featured on Official Fighting Fantasy Website and that in the Downloadable section on here, the long hand (positioned at number 2, 'what makes a marriage', thus halving 666 to 333) is actually necessary.

In contrast, as you know, the ONLINE version is able to utilize a 'click on the number' selection process developed by the webmeister; actually enabling you to type '6' then, '6' and '6' again - the number of the beast. And don't forget, the Word versions of the gamebook itself has only 400 entries: that's why originally I had to halve '666' to fit snugly below this parameter.

But you're quite right. The halving part of it shouldn't have been included in the text of this version. I don't know if the webmeister can omit mention of the 'long hand' and 'halving' which has caused players some confusion when playing the ONLINE version.

BTW, not sure how you got at 623 or 632 - unless you're a fan of the Jim Carrey film! By the way, is Pink your favourite colour...?

@ C-Star,

You're quite right to point out 616 is perhaps the right number instead of '666'. When writing TCOD, my head was more traditionalist than revolutionary. But they're now saying that the old school in religion has got the '666' number wrong. Just my luck! However, to clarify matters, I've based it upon '666' - the one more popular in films and such.

Robert Douglas
Wed Aug 22 19:59:18 2012
General Chat

As another little topic: has anybody ever watched 'The One Game'? It was a four-episode series televised in 1988 and renowned for its bizarre story and surreal atmosphere.

Nicholas Thorne is a suave, confident tycoon of a games company, Sorcerer. Years ago, he overstepped the mark with his old partner and genuis games designer: Magnus. After being sacrificed to save the company, Magnus now returns to exact his revenge, ensnaring Nicholas Thorne in an elaborate web that is a reality game, THE ONE GAME! And yet...perhaps he's seeking some kind of redemption from his protege?

I mention this because I have fond memories of both FF gamebooks and the timely appearance of this excellent story which was a powerful blend of drama, thriller, and mysticism. It just goes to show how popular adventure games were back in those days of the late 80's.

Shadow Dragon
Thu Aug 23 02:50:01 2012
General Chat

That sounds surprisingly close to the Daemon book and it's sequel, Freedom. That might be worth checking out.

Robert Douglas
Thu Aug 23 08:57:15 2012
General Chat

@ Shadow Dragon,

Just had a quick look at 'Daemon' and 'Freedom' novels by Daniel Suarez on Amazon. They seem quite intriguing, but seem to me more of a hi-tech, dark conspiracy, futuristic thriller than the reality game nightmare of Nicholas Thorne. The network of operatives is something both Daemon and The One Game have in common, and that the main protagonist of either story is suddenly in for a rude awakening. However, Magnus's plans are more contained to target Nicholas himself, and - what's more - he despises computers!

Anyway, thanks for the heads-up! :)

III
VII
XXI
The Magic's in the numbers...

duffmeister
Thu Aug 23 12:40:33 2012
General Chat

I seem to recall reading that back when the Book of Revelation was written numerical codes were pretty popular. Some hebrew code or other that was big at the time translates '666' to 'Nero' who was a big opponent of early Christianity. A lot of the Book of Revelation can be read as an allegorical criticism of the Roman Empire as viewed by Christians of the time. I think 616 is meant to translate as something else appropriate but I can't recall what. Though of course fans of Marvel comics will draw other connections to the number 616...

Robert Douglas
Fri Aug 24 00:16:49 2012
General Chat

@ duffmeister,

Mmm, a room number perhaps? Afraid I'm not familiar with Marvel comics (but I love the Batman, Spiderman, and X-Men films!). The closest I came to comics were the Warlord annuals, Commando comics, and Starblazer. Oh, and playing Steve Jackson's 'Appointment With F.E.A.R'.

Robert Douglas
Sun Aug 26 00:05:01 2012
General Chat

Famous quote of the day: 'The future...? The future scares the hell outta of me. It's like driving a ten tonne truck through rush hour downtown, you're loaded with dangerous chemicals - and, what's worse, the brakes have failed! So, the only thing you can do is pray for a less bumpy ride.'

NEIL ARMSTRONG, RIP.

Robert Douglas
Wed Aug 29 19:51:18 2012
General Chat

@ Phil Sadler,

YOU'RE the culprit! That was the adventure I was talking about...'Doom Demon'! Why on earth didn't you finish it?? It looked like you were on to something there.

Phil Sadler
Thu Aug 30 06:58:00 2012
General Chat

Haha I'd forgotten about that! The fact is that two things happened with it that stopped me. Firstly, it was never meant to be a full story but rather a collaberative effort between myself and other people on an old webpage. I had a falling out with the editor of that page though and never went back. Secondly, I actually did write a bit more of it but somehow it got deleted and I never had a backup. I was so disgusted with myself that I vowed never to continue it even alone.

Robert Douglas
Thu Aug 30 10:21:40 2012
General Chat

@ Phil,

Ah, sorry to hear that. And it's a shame when ppl do fall out over things. More of a shame that you decided not to continue with the adventure. Perhaps, one day, you might start it up again or do another one?

It's strange your mentioning the deletion: the same thing happened with me when I was checking up on 'The Globesphere Case' (this was around 2001). I'd accidentally deleted the whole lot! However, I then realized it was probably one of those 'lucky accidents'; it really needed a major overhaul and, referring to my notes, I was compelled to re-write the whole thing. That's what became the more refined 'Below Zero Point'.

Haoie
Sat Sep 1 01:01:08 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

I was thinking 6 for the first number, 2 people make a marriage for the 2nd number, then finally 3 for some reason. Yeah, it's weird! On the upside I did finish Drumer last week!

Robert Douglas
Sat Sep 1 11:40:42 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

@ Haoie,

Glad to hear you've finished it! I was just wondering: which route did you take?

SPOILER

END SPOILER

Robert Douglas
Wed Sep 5 22:25:16 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

God, it's been quiet for four days now...

Robert Douglas
Thu Sep 6 12:10:52 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

...Five days, hee, hee...

bcyy
Fri Sep 7 03:16:25 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

Well, with a new term starting, I guess everyone's busy...

PS May I ask how many of you are real kiddies (at the age range indicated by the FF books, no offence intended), and how many are simply nerds who hold advanced science degrees (again, no offence intended, though if you're not proud to be a nerd, you don't really qualify to be one)?

In the case of a majority belonging to the latter, IMHO FF really should change their writing styles and marketing strategies.

Robert Douglas
Fri Sep 7 08:55:10 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

@ bcyy,

I started reading FF in 1987 during my early teenage years. I'm now getting towards middle age. Even Ian Livingstone himself considered: "should I be writing 'Blood of the Zombies' for the ten year old today, or fans of the original series who are now forty years old?" So: you see the dilemma? Wizard Books keep the writing to a simplified form so younger readers can understand it is the best policy; we don't want to alienate younger, newer fans to FF. Otherwise, FF would go out of print again (although, with the advent of android and other e-books, the series will endure for much longer than it did with Puffin, what with having a ready database of titles on Amazon, for example).

The beauty of amateur gamebooks featured on this - and other - websites is the variety of writing styles to be found. Some are more adult than others (although, by this, I refer to the age difficulty level than any swear words being used - the closest I come to is 'heck' or 'damn' or 'blimey', which to me aren't swear words at all). The merest thought of writing at 9a or 10c ladybird book level frustrates me!

On a personal level - and not being horrible when I say this! - I dislike the term 'nerd'. No doubt you meant it light-heartedly, but there's a good choice of other references: 'writer' 'academic' or 'computer whizz', something that's more complimentary and relevant to their hobby, profession, or field of practice than a mere generalization. I am proud to be a gamebook writer - but word 'nerd' annoys me somewhat. Even something like 'games fanatic' is preferable to that!

Not sure where you're coming from with the 'advanced science degree'...I certainly don't have one (but wish I did!)

Haoie
Fri Sep 7 10:15:57 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

I took the regular route. There's a 2nd weapon? It wasn't the silver dagger which was cursed was it?

C-Star
Fri Sep 7 16:20:13 2012
The Curse Of Drumer

@ bcyy

Well I'm actually 17, so I think I'm just gone past being a kiddie... Ha yeah I can't really say I'm much of an ff fan. I've only played 3 of them myself ( The Warlock of Firetop Mountain, City of Thieves and Bloodbones). I got introduced to the whole thing back years ago during primary school by a friend. I was really fascinated by the idea of a book that's also a game, and pretty much adored the whole concept. (Yeah, I was a nerd back then lol.)

A long time later I was googling random stuff and remembered about ff. I wondered if there were any of them on the internet. Then i found this (rather quiet, in my opinion) website.

Oh and btw, I found the second weapon in COD, the Dibir Mallacht Cladhmain, or something like that. But then...

SPOILER

END SPOILER

Yeah ragequit... anyway I'm busy with school and stuff so i probably won't have as much time as I used to for reading these things. And as a matter of interest, what does that cursed silver dagger actually do?

Wayne Densley
Sun Sep 9 06:20:42 2012
Windhammer Competition

Entries have now closed in the 2012 Windhammer Prize

The 7th has come and gone and with its passing the submission phase for the 2012 Windhammer Prize has now ended. As of the 8th of September twenty-two entries have been accepted for consideration and all will be made available as per the competition guidelines on the 14th of September. The following entrants have been accepted for this year's competition.

Bert Van Dam
Ivailo Daskalov
Robert Douglas
Jake Care
Ulysses Ai
Stuart Lloyd
Kieran Coghlan
Ashton Saylor
Nicholas Stillman
Paul Struth
Zachary Carango
Andrew Drage
Simon Chapman
Marty Runyon
Leidren Sweever
Andrew Wright
Mikael Bergqvist
Paul Gresty
Richard Penwarden
David Walters
S.J. Bell
Karalynn Lee

All entries will be made available for download from the 14th of September. Information regarding the voting guidelines can be found at the competition homepage.

May Glory and Renown follow all who have entered.

Regards
Wayne Densley
Chronicles of Arborell
2012 Windhammer Prize for Short Gamebook Fiction
http://www.arborell.com/

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